Apparatus and method for accumulating and transferring one or more stacks of articles

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of generally flat articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• a plate configured to be at least partially disposable within said first container, wherein said first container is provided with an opening in one of its at least four walls through which a portion of said plate can extend;
• a roller bed slidably connected to first and second opposite walls of said first container and movable between an extended position covering the bottom of said first container below said plate, and a withdrawn position leaving the bottom of said first container uncovered;
• a sensor for sensing whether the location in said first container of the top of said plate or of any articles disposed on said plate exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said plate and responsive to said sensor, for moving said plate within said first container when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level, and
• second moving means, connected to said first container and to said roller bed, for moving said roller bed between said extended position closing off the bottom of said first container and said withdrawn position,
• wherein said roller bed comprises a plurality or rows of rollers arranged such that a plurality of colinearly arranged gaps is present in said roller bed;
• wherein said roller bed is movable between said extended position and said withdrawn position past the bottom of a third wall of said first container;
• and wherein the bottom of said third wall is provided with a plurality of projections configured to be respectively accommodated by said gaps of said roller bed, whereby said projections permit said roller bed to pass said projections unrestricted while helping to retain any articles resting on said roller bed.

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of generally flat articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• a plate configured to be at least partially disposable within said first container, wherein said first container is provided with an opening in one of its at least four walls through which a portion of said plate can extend;
• a roller bed slidably connected to first and second opposite walls of said first container and movable between an extended position covering the bottom of said first container below said plate, and a withdrawn position leaving the bottom of said first container uncovered;
• a sensor for sensing whether the location in said first container of the top of said plate or of any articles disposed on said plate exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said plate and responsive to said sensor, for moving said plate within said first container when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level;
• and
• second moving means, connected to said first container and to said roller bed, for moving said roller bed between said extended position closing off the bottom of said first container and said withdrawn position,
• wherein said opening includes a portion permitting said plate to pass therethrough;
• wherein said plate is provided with a plurality of grooves;
• and wherein said portion of said opening is provided with a plurality of projections configured to be respectively accommodated by said grooves, whereby said plate can pass through said portion of said opening unrestricted while said projections help to retain any articles resting on said plate.

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of generally flat articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• a plate configured to be at least partially disposable within said first container, wherein said first container is provided with an opening in one of its at least four walls through which a portion of said plate can extend;
• a roller bed slidably connected to first and second opposite walls of said first container and movable between an extended position covering the bottom of said first container below said plate, and a withdrawn position leaving the bottom of said first container uncovered;
• a sensor for sensing whether the location in said first container of the top of said plate or of any articles disposed on said plate exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said plate and responsive to said sensor, for moving said plate within said first container when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level;
• and
• second moving means, connected to said first container and to said roller bed, for moving said roller bed between said extended position closing off the bottom of said first container and said withdrawn position,
• wherein said portion of said plate comprises a projection projecting from the rest of said plate;
• wherein said connection between said first moving means and said plate is at said projection of said plate;
• and wherein said opening in said first container includes a portion configured to permit said projection of said plate to extend therethrough while said plate is being moved by said first moving means as well as while said plate is stationary.

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of generally flat articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• a plate configured to be at least partially disposable within said first container, wherein said first container is provided with an opening in one of its at least four walls through which a portion of said plate can extend, said opening including a portion permitting said plate to pass through said portion of said opening;
• a roller bed slidably connected to first and second opposite walls of said first container and movable between an extended position covering the bottom of said first container below said plate, and a withdrawn position leaving the bottom of said first container uncovered;
• a sensor for sensing whether the location in said first container of the top of said plate or of any articles disposed on said plate exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said plate and responsive to said sensor, for moving said plate within said first container when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level;
• second moving means, connected to said first container and to said roller bed, for moving said roller bed between said extended position closing off the bottom of said first container and said withdrawn position;
• and
• third moving means connected to said first container for moving said first container away from said plate.

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of generally flat articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• a plate configured to be at least partially disposable within said first container, wherein said first container is provided with an opening in one of its at least four walls through which a portion of said plate can extend;
• a roller bed slidably connected to first and second opposite walls of said first container and movable between an extended position covering the bottom of said first container below said plate, and a withdrawn position leaving the bottom of said first container uncovered;
• a sensor for sensing whether the location in said first container of the top of said plate or of any articles disposed on said plate exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said plate and responsive to said sensor, for moving said plate within said first container when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level;
• and
• second moving means, connected to said first container and to said roller bed, for moving said roller bed between said extended position closing off the bottom of said first container and said withdrawn position,
• wherein said first moving means is located outside of said first container;
• wherein said first wall of said first container is provided with said opening;
• wherein said opening comprises a first opening portion through which said portion of said plate extends for said connection to said first moving means;
• wherein said plate is provided with at least one groove;
• and wherein said opening further comprises a second opening portion connected to said first opening portion, configured to permit said plate to pass therethrough, and having at least one projection configured to enter said at least one groove.

A method for receiving and releasing a plurality of articles using an apparatus comprising a first container having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom, a rigid retainer disposed within the first container for retaining any articles provided to the first container, a sensor for sensing whether the location in the first container of the top of the rigid retainer or of any articles retained thereby exceeds a predetermined level, and a flexible retainer removably disposed at the bottom of the first container for releasably closing off the bottom of the first container below the rigid retainer, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing one or more articles to the rigid retainer;
• responsive to the sensor, moving the rigid retainer downward as articles are provided to the rigid retainer;
• when the rigid retainer reaches a predetermined position with respect to the first container, moving the first container away from the rigid retainer so that the articles move onto the flexible retainer;
• placing the first container above a second container having a bottom and at least four sides and open at its top;
• and
• removing the flexible retainer from the bottom of the first container so that the articles are provided to the second container.

Apparatus for receiving and releasing a plurality of articles that may be of nonuniform dimensions, comprising:

• a bin having at least four walls and open at its top and bottom;
• first retaining means disposed within said bin for retaining any articles provided to said bin;
• sensing means for sensing whether the location in said bin of the top of said first retaining means or of any articles retained thereby exceeds a predetermined level;
• first moving means, connected to said first retaining means and responsive to said sensing means, for moving said first retaining means within said bin when the predetermined level is exceeded, to remove the excess over the predetermined level;
• second, flexible retaining means removably disposed at the bottom of said bin for releasably closing off the bottom of said bin below said first retaining means;
• and
• second moving means connected to said bin and to said second retaining means for removing said second retaining means from, and replacing said second retaining means at, the bottom of said bin,
• wherein said second, flexible retaining means comprises a plurality of rows of rollers arranged such that a plurality of colinearly arranged gaps is present in said second, flexible retaining means;
• wherein said second, flexible retaining means is movable between an extended position and a withdrawn position past the bottom of a first wall of said bin;
• and wherein the bottom of said first wall is provided with a plurality of projections configured to be respectively accommodated by said gaps of said second retaining means, whereby said projections permit said second retaining means to pass said projections unrestricted while helping to retain any articles resting on said second, flexible retaining means.